TY - JOUR AB - AU‑rich element RNA‑binding factor 1 (AUF1) is a classical RNA‑binding protein. AUF1 influences the process of development, apoptosis and tumorigenesis by interacting with adenylate‑uridylate rich element‑bearing mRNAs. Human skin is the largest organ of the body and acts as a protective barrier against pathogens and injuries. The aim of the present study was to explore the function and potential molecular pathways of AUF1 in human skin cells. AUF1 was overexpressed in human keratinocyte HaCaT cells and human skin fibroblast WS1 cells using adenoviruses and silenced using lentiviruses. AUF1 overexpression facilitated cell proliferation, whereas AUF1 knockdown induced the opposite effect. AUF1 reduced apoptosis but did not affect cell cycle progression. Forced AUF1 expression promoted the migration of human skin cells, as demonstrated by a scratch wound healing assay. Cell senescence was alleviated in AUF1‑overexpressing skin cells, while AUF1 knockdown increased cell senescence. WS1 cells with AUF1 overexpression and silencing were used for RNA‑sequencing and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes‑based pathway analysis to identify AUF1‑affected mRNAs. A total of 18 mRNAs (eight mRNAs with positive associations and 10 mRNAs with negative associations) revealed consistent associations with both AUF1 overexpression and silencing. Enriched pathways associated with AUF1 expression included ‘MAPK’, ‘cell adhesion molecules’, ‘proteasome’, ‘cellular senescence’ and ‘TGF‑β signaling’, indicating a complex regulatory network. Overall, the results of the present study revealed that AUF1 is involved in the proliferation, migration and senescence of skin cells in vitro and may be a potential target for cosmetic and disease treatment of skin. AD - West China School of Basic Medical Sciences and Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, P.R. China School of Radiation Medicine and Protection, Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215123, P.R. China Department of Surgery, Second Affiliated Hospital of Chengdu Medical College, China National Nuclear Corporation 416 Hospital, Chengdu, Sichuan 610051, P.R. China AU - Yu,Daojiang AU - Li,Xiaoqian AU - Wang,Zhenyu AU - Jiang,Sheng AU - Yan,Tao AU - Fang,Kai AU - Shi,Yuhong AU - Jiang,Zhiqiang AU - Zhang,Shuyu DA - 2022/01/01 DO - 10.3892/etm.2021.10967 IS - 1 JO - Exp Ther Med KW - skin AUF1 migration senescence apoptosis PY - 2022 SN - 1792-0981 1792-1015 SP - 45 ST - Role of AUF1 in modulating the proliferation, migration and senescence of skin cells T2 - Experimental and Therapeutic Medicine TI - Role of AUF1 in modulating the proliferation, migration and senescence of skin cells UR - https://doi.org/10.3892/etm.2021.10967 VL - 23 ER -